Typical Rhys Bowen, but I thought the best of her novels. Maybe because the story ends in Australia, and involves a cruel orphanage run by nuns. A dark but truthful part of Australian history. Definitely one for Rhys Bowen fans. ( )

This historical fiction, a blend of actual events and imagination, makes us relive the harsh reality of war. This is the story of Londoner Madeleine Grant who studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, married Giles Martin and raised peacefully their son Oliver ...till the war sets off alarms in France. The story will tell us what they did to survive.

The story is written with easy and it flows beautifully. The imagery throughout steady and unwavering and gives us several twists hard to phantom. It will be difficult not to be emotionally captivated with the description of horror suffered by those caught in the hands of evil men. Ms. Bowen held back on torture but did not mince her words describing the wrong done by the Nazi but also by those who took orphans in their care. The chapters of Oliver at the orphanage in Australia were an eye opener. Although it was not the first time I read how children were abused by religious orders it nevertheless touched me...How could they?...There is a lot of tension all through, it is hard not to want them to survive and lead a happy life. The story is not all doomed and groomed we have some romance and tender moments, family reunion and budding love.

With its excellent characters and gripping plot “The Paris Assignment” is a story that will inevitably pull most historical fiction buffs in and captivate them till they reach the last page. It did for me.

My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC ( )

While spending a semester at the Sorbonne, British citizen Madeleine Grant falls in love with Giles Martin. Madeleine defies her mother and stepmother to return to Paris and Giles, whose wealthy mother also disapproves of the match. Despite that, they live a happy life with their son, Olivier, until war breaks out and the Nazis occupy France. Mother and child flee to London, while Giles remains in his homeland to join the Resistance. When the bombings start in London, it isn’t safe there either. Madeleine sends Olivier to the country only to be informed that he has been killed when his train is bombed. Despondent over her loss and wanting to do something for the war effort, she joins an elite group of French speaking women who are trained as spies and sent to France.

From Britain to France to Australia, this sweeping novel follows the Martin family through World War II and into the initial post war years. It is an enthralling tale of love, sacrifice, the horrors of war, and the hope that can spring from its end. Yes, there are quite a few convenient coincidences that are probably unrealistic, but they did make for a good story and I couldn’t put this book down, reading it late into the night.

Every time I read a historical fiction novel set in WWII, I think the same thing….how have we not learned from the mistakes of history?. People still gravitate toward narcissistic authoritarians and elevate them to positions of power. When will we ever learn?

This is only the second book I have read by prolific writer Rhys Bowen; I have enjoyed both of them.

For sensitive readers, there are some tough subjects here…sexual abuse, child abuse, and the atrocities of war.

Thanks to #netgalley and #lakeunionpublishing for the ARC. ( )

historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, family, family-history, espionage, endurance, romantic, orphaned, Australia, France, England, grief, grieving, WW2, fiction, loss, love, abuse*****

Madeleine was a British girl who came to France in 1931 as a student at the Sorbonne where she fell in love with a young journalist who had Jewish roots. In time they had a son, the German army made life intolerable for them, mother and son return to England, and father stays in France to join the Resistance. Madeleine is recruited into the rigors of British intelligence for work behind the lines in France, and their son is abducted into one of the infamous “orphanage farms” over in Australia. It is a riveting account that could have happened. Another moving tale by one of my favorite authors.
I requested and received an EARC from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you ( )

Have read this author before and can't wait to start reading this. Wondering how anyone who reads anything can miss seeing the dangerous times we as US citizens now face.

FROM AMAZON: A courageous wife, mother, and resister confronts the devastation of World War II in a heartbreaking and hopeful novel by the bestselling author of The Venice Sketchbook and The Tuscan Child.
Londoner Madeleine Grant is studying at the Sorbonne in Paris when she marries charismatic French journalist Giles Martin. As they raise their son, Olivier, they hold on to a tenuous promise for the future. Until the thunder of war sets off alarms in France.
Staying behind to join the resistance, Giles sends Madeleine and Olivier to the relative safety of England, where Madeleine secures a job teaching French at a secondary school. Yet nowhere is safe. After a devastating twist of fate resulting in the loss of her son, Madeleine accepts a request from the ministry to aid in the war effort. Seizing the smallest glimmer of hope of finding Giles alive, she returns to France. If Madeleine can stop just one Nazi, it will be the start of a valiant path of revenge.

Though her perseverance, defiance, and heart will be tested beyond imagining, no risk is too great for a brave wife and mother determined to fight and survive against inconceivable odds.